[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2003, Book II)]
[October 22, 2003]
[Pages 1370-1372]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Joint Statement Between the United States of America and the Republic of 
Indonesia
October 22, 2003

    President George W. Bush and President Megawati 
Soekarnoputri today reaffirmed a new 
era of cooperation between two of the world's largest democracies and 
reviewed the shared values and common challenges that join them in 
friendship. They welcomed the excellent progress in implementing the 
Joint Statement of September 19, 2001. They also expressed satisfaction 
that the relationship between their two democracies continues to grow 
and strengthen. President Megawati emphasized the importance of 
President Bush's visit.
    President Bush expressed the strong support of the United States for 
Indonesia's democratic transition and reforms, and welcomed Indonesia's 
progress toward becoming a mature and stable democracy. Both 
Presidents agreed that, as the most 
populous majority-Muslim nation, Indonesia is a powerful example that 
democracy and Islam can go hand in hand.
    President Bush noted Indonesia's substantial economic recovery in 
recent years and pledged to support continued economic development as 
Indonesia successfully ends its program with the IMF at the end of this 
year. President Bush praised President Megawati's commitment to continue to press forward with 
difficult economic reforms, combat graft, and improve the investment 
climate. The two Presidents agreed that the long-standing trade and 
investment ties between their two countries have shown the benefits of 
an open trading system to Indonesia's development. The United States is 
the top market for Indonesia's non-oil and gas exports, and U.S. 
companies are major investors in Indonesia.

[[Page 1371]]

    President Bush and President Megawati reaffirmed that military reform is an important 
element of Indonesia's transition to a mature and stable democracy. The 
two Presidents agreed that normal military relations are in the interest 
of both countries and agreed to continue working toward that objective. 
President Megawati welcomed U.S. support for her efforts to foster 
proper civil-military relations in the form of International Military 
Education and Training (IMET) and Regional Defense Counter Terrorism 
Fellowships. Both Presidents agreed on the need to improve civil-
military relations and stressed the importance of observing human 
rights. Both Presidents welcomed the successful convening of the first 
Indonesia-United States Security Dialogue in Jakarta in April 2002. They 
agreed that the second dialogue would be held in Washington, D.C. early 
next year.
    The two Presidents expressed their 
sorrow over the killing of two Americans and one Indonesian by unknown 
gunmen near Timika, Papua in August 2002. They noted that the joint 
investigation between the Indonesian police, the Armed Forces, and the 
FBI is proceeding well, and reaffirmed their shared commitment to find 
the murderers and bring them to justice, whoever they may be.
    President Bush praised the Government of Indonesia for recent 
successes in their war on terror, including the arrest and prosecution 
of those responsible for the Bali bombings, and focused efforts to 
dismantle the terrorist networks. Agreeing that terrorism poses a 
continued threat to international peace and security, the two 
Presidents committed to enhance their 
bilateral cooperation in the fight against terrorism, including through 
capacity-building and sharing of information.
    Both Presidents denounced the 
linking of terrorism with religion. The two Presidents agreed that there 
could be no justification for terrorist attacks against innocent 
civilians. They stressed that terrorism is a violation of the true 
teachings of all religions, and agreed to work together to promote 
inter-faith dialogue in their respective countries and abroad. President 
Bush underscored that the war on terrorism is not in any way a war on 
Islam and expressed great admiration and respect for Indonesia's long 
history of religious tolerance and moderate Islamic thought.
    President Bush announced a new six-year, $157 million program 
designed to support Indonesia's efforts to improve the quality of 
education in its schools. This initiative seeks to strengthen both basic 
and higher education by supporting parents, local governments, and 
Muslim organizations in their efforts to give Indonesian students the 
tools they need to compete in the global economy.
    President Bush emphasized strong support for Indonesia's territorial 
integrity and national unity. He asserted that a united, stable, 
prosperous, and democratic Indonesia could be a model of a successful 
democratic transition for the world. President Bush reiterated that the 
United States opposes secessionist movements in any part of Indonesia, 
and calls on separatist groups in Aceh and Papua to pursue the redress 
of their grievances through peaceful political means. He further 
expressed the hope that the Indonesian Government would continue a 
political process based on Special Autonomy in dealing with those 
grievances. President Bush commended the Indonesian Government's efforts 
to resolve communal conflicts through law enforcement that respects 
human rights, dialogue, and reconciliation.
    Both Presidents expressed deep 
concern regarding the ongoing terrorism and violence in the Middle East, 
which has claimed the lives of far too many innocent civilians. They 
expressed strong support for the vision articulated by President Bush on 
June 24, 2002, of an independent, sovereign and viable Palestinian state 
living in peace and security side by side with a secure Israel. Both 
Presidents agreed that all parties share a responsibility to bring about

[[Page 1372]]

a just and comprehensive peace, and that ending violence must be the 
highest priority.
    President Bush, accompanied by President Megawati, also met Islamic leaders KH Hasyim Muzadi, Dr. Syafi'i Ma'arif, 
and Dr. Azyumardi Azra, as well as Christian 
leader Rev. Dr. Natan Setiabudi and Hindu 
leader Ida Pedanda Gede Made Gunung. During that meeting, President Bush expressed great 
respect for Indonesia's religious tolerance, moderation, and commitment 
to democracy. The religious leaders briefed President Bush on the 
Indonesian Islam, as well as cultural and religious harmony in 
Indonesia. They also expressed their views on current events, such as 
the situation in the Middle East, Iraq, and Afghanistan. All agreed on 
the need to combat international terrorism.
    The two Presidents recognized that 
a U.S.-Indonesia relationship based on mutual respect and equitable 
partnership is in the national interest of both countries. They pledged 
to deepen and strengthen this important relationship and to work 
together to promote global peace and prosperity.

Note: An original was not available for verification of the content of 
this joint statement.